Oxidation Numbers of Carbon and Oxygen

The video tutorial explains the concept of oxidation numbers using carbon monoxide (CO) as an example. It begins by introducing CO as a neutral molecule and discusses how the oxidation numbers of carbon and oxygen add up to zero. The tutorial details the typical oxidation state of oxygen as -2 and calculates the oxidation number of carbon as +2 to maintain neutrality. The video concludes by mentioning that in other compounds like carbon dioxide, the oxidation numbers might differ.

What is the total oxidation number for carbon monoxide (CO)?

• Zero

• Plus one

• Minus two

• Plus two

Why is the oxidation number of oxygen typically considered as minus two?

• Because it forms ionic bonds

• Due to its high electronegativity

• Due to its low atomic number

• Because it is a metal

In carbon monoxide, what is the oxidation number of carbon?

• Zero

• Plus two

• Minus two

• Plus four

How do the oxidation numbers of carbon and oxygen in CO add up?

• They add up to zero

• They add up to plus two

• They add up to minus two

• They add up to plus four

How might the oxidation number of carbon differ in carbon dioxide compared to carbon monoxide?

• It would be plus four

• It would be zero

• It would be minus two

• It would be the same

What is the typical oxidation number of oxygen in most compounds?

• Minus one

• Plus two

• Minus two

• Zero